The information resilience necessary for the functioning of the state does not arise by itself
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Associate Professor of Media Studies at the University of Tartu, Media Competence Expert, Baltic Centre for Combating Information Disorders (BECID)
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Media Competence Specialist at the Baltic Centre for Combating Information Disorders (BECID)
In an era of escalating information disorder, building societal informational resilience—the capacity to withstand, adapt to, and recover from the harmful effects of disinformation—is paramount to safeguarding democracy.
This resilience does not emerge spontaneously; it requires systemic investment in media literacy and digital competence. Estonian society, like many others, faces challenges from both accidental misinformation and well-financed, hostile information operations—often exploiting existing societal fissures to sow distrust in democratic institutions. Strategic communication, cross-sectoral cooperation, and education—formal and informal alike—play a vital role in countering these threats. Estonia has made laudable progress, being among the global leaders in media literacy and digital governance. However, fragmented responsibilities, reliance on project-based funding, and the rapid evolution of hybrid threats demand sustained, coordinated action. As the information landscape grows ever more chaotic, cultivating critical awareness becomes not just an educational priority but a pillar of national security.